An Abu Dhabi court has ruled in favor of a patient who suffered visual impairment following a cataract surgery gone wrong, ordering an ophthalmologist and the medical center where the procedure took place to jointly pay Dh100,000 in compensation.
The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Claims Court determined that the patient did not receive medical care that met recognized professional standards, leading to significant vision loss in his right eye. According to an Emarat Al Youm report, citing court documents, the ophthalmologist’s actions during the procedure fell below acceptable medical practices.
The patient, who initially sought treatment for cataracts in both eyes, underwent surgery to remove the cataracts and have lenses implanted. However, during the procedure on his right eye, the doctor accidentally perforated the posterior membrane, leading to severe visual impairment.
Despite the patient’s request for Dh400,000 in damages and a review by a medical committee to assess potential permanent disability, the court found no evidence of lasting impairment. Nevertheless, it concluded that the doctor’s negligence constituted a medical error under Article (6) of Federal Law No. (4) of 2016 on Medical Liability.
The court emphasized that the medical center also bore responsibility, as the ophthalmologist was employed and supervised by the facility. Both were held jointly liable for the compensation, which also covered court fees, legal expenses, and attorney’s costs.